ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA holds 13th Stakeholders’ Interaction Meet
CMD emphasizes IREDA’s commitment to provide loans at competitive rates
Stakeholders applaud IREDA's speedy Financial Reporting and Competitive Interest Rates
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency  conducted its 13th Stakeholders' Interaction meet today, encouraging discussions on new initiatives, future plans, and taking feedback from esteemed business partners. Shri Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA chaired the meet, which took place through a virtual platform, facilitating broad participation.
A comprehensive presentation, highlighting IREDA's historic financial results, recent achievements, major initiatives undertaken for Renewable Energy sector development, and the effective implementation of suggestions received during previous interaction meets, was made. Emphasis was also placed on future plans aligned with the ambitious targets set by the Government of India for the growth of the RE sector. Subsequently, an interactive session was conducted, enabling stakeholders to directly engage with CMD and Team IREDA.
In his opening remarks, CMD, IREDA underlined the organization's unwavering commitment to supporting borrowers by providing loans at competitive rates, despite the recent repo rate hike by the Reserve Bank of India. He further highlighted IREDA’s credit rating upgradation by ICRA, elevating its ratings to 'AAA'  from 'AA+'  and ‘Infrastructure Finance Company ’ status granted to IREDA by RBI. This upgrade positions IREDA to secure funds at lower interest rates, with the resultant cost savings to be directly passed on to borrowers.
Shri Das urged all stakeholders to continue providing their valuable feedback, recognizing the invaluable contribution received from previous interaction meetings. These inputs have played a pivotal role in enhancing the "Ease of Doing Business," streamlining processes through digital platforms, and reducing loan sanction, documentation, and disbursement cycles.
The stakeholders expressed their profound appreciation for IREDA's exceptional achievement of becoming the first public sector undertaking  to publish its Annual Audited Financial Results within an impressive 25-day timeframe, surpassing SEBI's mandated 60-day deadline. They also recognized IREDA's commitment for providing competitive interest rates and handholding support reflecting its understanding of the needs and aspirations of its stakeholders.
Overall, the stakeholders’ meet was a success, and it demonstrated IREDA's commitment to promoting Renewable Energy development in the country. IREDA will continue to work with its business partners to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves extension of the validity of Central Order in respect of sugar for six months
Cabinet approves extension of the validity of Central Order in respect of sugar for six months
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for extending the validity of the existing Central Order dated 27.10.2016 in respect of sugar for a further period of six months from 29.04.2017 to 28.10.2017.
The main objective of the decision is to enable the State Governments to issue control order with the prior concurrence of Central Government, for fixing stock limits/licensing requirements in respect of sugar, whenever need is felt by them. This is expected to help in the efforts being taken to improve the availability of these commodities to general public at reasonable rates, and control the tendencies of hoarding and profiteering.
The current decision will be notified by the Government and communicated to all the States/UTs for further action at their end.
Background
The Cabinet in its meeting held on 27.10.2016, decided to enable the States to regulate supply, distribution, sale, production, stock, storage, purchase and movement etc, in respect of sugar for a period up to six months. Accordingly, S.O. 3341 dated 27.10.2016 was issued, for enabling administrative department, States & UTs to decide stock limits etc. on sugar upto 28.04.2017, by amending the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock limits and Movement restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016 dated 29.09.2016 notified as G.S.R. 929.
The prices of sugar are being monitored by the Department of Food & Public Distribution regularly at factory gate as well as in the domestic market. In September, 2016 it was noticed that the retail prices had shown a sudden spurt. The price rise appeared to be more on sentiment than actual shortage. In order to regulate supply of sugar and address issue of speculative prices, fixing of appropriate stock limit on need basis was essential. In addition, despite adequate availability of stocks for consumption in the current season, hoarding and consequent profiteering is anticipated due to drop in production over previous year and hence further extension of stock limit would be needed.
To support the sugar sector, the Government had recently extended soft loan assistance of Rs.4305 crore to the industry which has been directly credited to farmers account on behalf of sugar mills through banks benefitting about 32 lakh farmers. Also a performance based production subsidy has been extended @Rs.4.50 per quintal of cane crushed which was directly credited to the farmers account on behalf of sugar mills.
In order to maintain domestic prices at reasonable levels, the Government has allowed import of a restricted quantity of 5 lakh MT of raw sugar at zero duty by millers/refiners having their own refining capacity. This restricted quantity will help the sugar industry to augment their liquidity and enable them to pay cane dues of farmers.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Prime Minister inaugurates Maritime India Summit-2021 virtually
It is one of the biggest virtual summits in the world, with the participation of more than 1.7 lakh registered participants from more than 100 nations: Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Maritime India Summit 2021’ through video conferencingtoday. Minister of Transport of Denmark Mr Benny Englebrecht, Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, Union Ministers Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Minister of State  for Ports, Shipping And Watwerways, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, were present on the occasion.
In his welcome address, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Maritime India Summit is one of the biggest virtual summits in the world, with the participation of more than 1.7 lakh registered participants from more than 100 nations. In this three-day summit, we will have ministers from 8 nations, more than 50 global CEOs and more than 160 speakers which includes 115 international speakers from 24 nations.
Shri Mandaviya further assured all stakeholders in the sectors and investors from across the globe and said that Government of India is all geared up for facilitating and grounding the investments in the maritime sector and our role in the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Prime Minister released e-book of ‘ Maritime India Vision-2030’. Maritime India Vision 2030 is aiming to make the Indian Maritime Industry at par with top global benchmarks in next 10 years.
Prime Minister also unveiled the e-plaque of ‘Sagar-Manthan’:Mercantile Maritime Domain Awareness Centre. It is an information system for enhancing maritime safety, search and rescue capabilities, security and marine environment protection.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister invited the world to come to India and be a part of India’s growth trajectory. India is very serious about growing in the maritime sector and emerging as a leading Blue Economy of the world,he said.
Prime Minister noted that instead of a piecemeal approach focus is on the entire sector as one. He informed that capacity of major ports have increased from 870 million tonnes in 2014 to 1550 million tonnes now. Indian ports now have measures such as: Direct port Delivery, Direct Port Entry and an upgraded Port Community System  for easy data flow. Our ports have reduced waiting time for inbound and outbound cargo. He also informed that mega ports with world class infrastructure are being developed in Vadhavan, Paradip and Deendayal Port in Kandla.
The Prime Minister concluded while inviting the global investors, “India’s long coastline awaits you. India’s hardworking people await you. Invest in our ports. Invest in our people. Let India be your preferred trade destination. Let Indian ports be your port of call for trade and commerce.”
Video Link of the programme: https://youtu.be/t46PPbw3YGc
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds the initiative of ‘Suposhit Maa’ by Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has praised the initiative of ‘Suposhit Maa’ by Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla. Shri Birla inaugurated Suposhit Maa Abhiyan in Ramganjmandi area of Kota. The goal of this initiative to keep every mother and child healthy.
Responding to a tweet by Lok Sabha speaker, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“माननीय लोकसभा अध्यक्ष जी की ओर से एक प्रेरक पहल! स्वस्थ मां और शिशु के साथ ही इसमें पूरे परिवार की समृद्धि निहित है और यही तो एक सशक्त समाज की आधारशिला है।”
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Secretary PNG flags off publicity vans in Delhi, to generate awareness about the initiative of converting Used Cooking Oil to Biodiesel
To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October as Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas, Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas Dr M.M.Kutty today flagged off the publicity vans in Delhi, to generate awareness among the people about the OMCs’ initiative of converting Used Cooking Oil to Biodiesel. Wide publicity is being given to the RUCO  initiative by the Oil Marketing Companies  to make India “Swachh” by conversion of used cooking oil, which otherwise would be disposed off in drains, cause spillages/ environmental damage and pose health hazards. Chairman IOCL Shri Sanjiv Singh was also present on the occasion. Similar initiatives are being launched at various places in the country.
The publicity involves wide social media campaign to spread awareness and educate people about the ill effects of used cooking oil and ways to dispose it off for converting it to biodiesel. The publicity vans will also carry the poster messages across 100 cities to spread the awareness. This awareness initiative of the OMCs would be a continuous process in coming days.
Oil Marketing Companies , under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, have floated Expression of Interest  across 100 cities of India  for supply of Bio-diesel produced from Used Cooking Oil . The EOI was floated on 10th August 2019 on the occasion of World Bio-fuel day. The EOI on Bio-Diesel from UCO provides that the entrepreneurs setting up Biodiesel plants get remunerative price and assurance of complete off take of production by the Oil companies.
The consumption of Used Cooking Oil  poses adverse health effects. During frying, several properties of cooking oil are altered and Total Polar Compounds  are formed on repeated frying. The toxicity of these compounds is associated with several diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, liver diseases. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the quality of vegetable oils during frying. Also disposal of UCO in drains causes ecological damage and is an environment concern.
In order to safeguard consumer health, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India  has fixed a limit for Total Polar Compounds at 25 percent beyond which the vegetable oil shall not be used for cooking. Repurpose Used Cooking Oil , launched by FSSAI, provides an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of UCO to biodiesel.
Consumers can give their Used Cooking Oil to authorised aggregators of Used Cooking Oil who will in turn give it to the Biodiesel Manufactures for production of Biodiesel which will be used for blending with Diesel. The details of the RUCO oil aggregators is available at website https://fssai.gov.in/ruco/collection-point.php
NITI Aayog
Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog joins hands with Snap Inc to drive AR skilling amongst Indian youth
Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog today announced their partnership with Snap Inc. to drive Augmented Reality  skilling among the Indian youth. Snap Inc. is a global camera company and Snap’s camera plays a transformative role in how people experience the world around them, combining what they see in the real world, with all that’s available to them in the digital world.
Over a two-year timeframe, Snap Inc is expected to train over 12,000 teachers affiliated with the Atal Tinkering Labs on Augmented Reality, enabling the reach of the program to millions of students affiliated with ATL’s network of schools.
Snap Inc also announced its partnership with the Atal Incubation Centers  to support the Indian start-up ecosystem with AR advertising bootcamps, Ad credits and other opportunities.
Sharing his thoughts, Mission director Atal Innovation Mission Dr Chintan Vaishnav said that “At AIM, we’re committed to leveraging our network of state-of-the art Atal Tinkering Labs to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Augmented Reality is the future - given its varied applications in a rapidly digitizing India. We’re excited to utilize Snap Inc’s expertise in Augmented Reality to create a cadre of GenZ students that are skilled in this futuristic technology.”
The partnership kick started today, on International Women’s Day, with the launch of a nationwide Lensathon , throughout the month of March. The hackathon will be focused on increasing participation of girls and young women over 13 interested in AR.
Uthara Ganesh, Public Policy Head, India at Snap Inc also expressed her views and said, “At Snap, we are excited to be building the future of AR and that future depends strongly on the talent that we nurture, encourage and empower. We are grateful to Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog for giving us the opportunity to share our expertise in AR with the Atal Tinkering Lab’s wide network of schools, and skill students in Augmented Reality through Lens Studio. We at Snap are excited to help the Atal Tinkering Labs in its mission to create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India, and help India become an Augmented Reality hub.”
As a part of the Lensathon, Snap will be hosting special workshops aimed to introduce young women in India to AR and skills that will be necessary to navigate the digital economy of the future. Workshops are open to participants aged 13 years and upwards and will take place at 16 all-women and 5 co-ed educational institutes across India. The workshops will be hosted by Women Lens Creators, with advanced sessions led by members from the Snap Lens network for women across India to build AR experience in themes representing the women community.
Ministry of Finance
Clarification on the manner of filing the Quarterly Return by Composition Dealers in FORM GSTR-4
It has been brought to notice that doubts regarding the manner of filing the quarterly return by Composition Dealers in FORM GSTR-4 in the absence of auto-population of the details of inward supplies  received from registered suppliers exist amongst taxpayers.
In this regard, it is to clarify that the taxpayers who have opted to pay tax under the composition levy shall not furnish the data in serial number 4A of Table 4 of FORM GSTR-4. The required changes in the CGST Rules, 2017 would be notified shortly.
Prime Minister's Office
PM attends the oath taking ceremony at Shillong
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has attended the oath taking ceremony of Meghalaya Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma and his ministerial team. Shri Modi has congratulated those who took oath today.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Attended the oath taking ceremony of Shri @SangmaConrad Ji and his ministerial team. Congratulations to those who took oath. Best wishes to them in their pursuit of taking Meghalaya to new heights of growth.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Health Minister Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya reviews COVID-19 Situation in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Discussed matters related to COVID-19 management with Health Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over a telephonic conversation
With COVID cases rising in Kerala, adequate steps should be taken to contain the inter-state spread of COVID-19: Union Health Minister
In a telephonic conversation today with the Health Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the COVID-19 situation in these States. Due to the rising cases in Kerala, the Union Health Minister discussed matters related to COVID-19 management in those areas of States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which border kerala.
Highlighting the need to take adequate steps to contain the inter-state spread of COVID-19, Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya requested the respective Health Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to increase the pace of vaccination in the bordering districts to Kerala.
The Government of India has been at the forefront in the fight against the COVID19 pandemic. Vaccination forms an integral component of the five-point strategy of Government of India to fight the pandemic . India has been running the largest vaccination drive against COVID-19 since January 16th, 2021.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Domestic flight operations start from Kushinagar airport
First flight between Delhi and Kushinagar under UDAN
Domestic flight operations at the newly inaugurated Kushinagar airport, Uttar Pradesh commenced on 26.11.2021 with the first flight operating between Delhi and Kushinagar under the RCS-UDAN . The commencement of the flight operations on this route is in line with the commitment and perseverance of MoCA and AAI to enable the country with better air connectivity under the UDAN scheme. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport on 20th October 2021.
Kushinagar is an international Buddhist pilgrimage centre. Here Lord Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. This region is also the centre point of the Buddhist circuit, which consists of pilgrimage sites at Lumbini, Sarnathand Gaya. The operationalization of the Kushinagar airport will connect this region directly with national and global visitors and pilgrims.
The Airports Authority of India has developed the Kushinagar Airport with new terminal building spread across 3600sqm at an estimated cost of Rs 260 crore in association with Govt. of Uttar Pradesh. The new terminal is equipped to handle 300 passengers during peak hours.
SpiceJet was awarded the Kushinagar - Delhi route under the RCS-UDAN 4.0. The flight operations on this route will act as a multiplier effect on the hospitality, tourism, and local economy.
Till date, 395 routes and 63 airports including 6 heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes have been operationalized under the UDAN scheme.
The flight schedule is below:
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Flight Number
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Origin
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Destination
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Airline
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Departure
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Arrival
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Frequency
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SG2987
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Delhi
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Kushinagar
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SpiceJet
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12:00
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13:35
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1,3,5,7
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SG2988
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Kushinagar
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Delhi
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SpiceJet
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13:55
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15:50
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1,3,5,7
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Dr. Jitendra Singh urges every official above 18 to get vaccinated at the special camp being organized by DPPW at Lok Nayak Bhavan tomorrow
In the 2nd wave of the Pandemic, the DARPG received 28005 grievances on the CPGRAMS COVID-19 portal and disposed 19694 grievances
Special Vaccination Camp for government Officials and their family Members as well as Pensioners will be held tomorrow at Lok Nayak Bhavan, here tomorrow.
This was announced by Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, who urged every official above 18 years of age and their eligible family members to get vaccinated at this special camp being organized by Department of Pensioners and Pensioners’ Welfare. He also hinted that more such camps will be organized in the coming weeks.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress of grievance redressal in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed satisfaction with the quality of grievance redressal.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that despite the second wave being more virulent than the first wave, the DARPG has risen to meet the challenge by providing prompt grievance redressal. Several initiatives in grievance redressal undertaken in the first wave like the COVID-19 Dashboard, Feedback Call Centres and integration of State Portals with CPGRAMS proved useful in meeting the challenges of the second wave.
Further, the DARPG interacted with States/UT governments and the Ministries/ Departments of the Union Government to ensure timely disposal. In the 2nd wave of the Pandemic, the DARPG received 28005 grievances on the CPGRAMS COVID-19 portal and disposed of 19694 grievances. The DARPG had also operationalized the appeal mechanism under CPGRAMS where aggrieved citizens could file an appeal to the Nodal Appellate Authority in the rank of Additional Secretary/ Joint Secretary to Government of India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that on completion of two years of Government, Government officials should rededicate themselves to service of the Nation.
The Hon’ble Minister also complimented the dedication of Government Officials in carrying on the show without interruption during the second wave of the pandemic.
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SNC
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Horticulture sector can play an important role in doubling farmers' income
Union Agriculture Ministry has allocated Rs 2250 Crore for realizing the huge potential of horticulture sector in 2021-22
Keeping in view the huge potential and role of the horticulture sector in increasing farmer’s income, the Government of India has allocated Rs. 2250 Crore for development of horticulture sector during 2021-22.
To further promote and for holistic growth of the horticulture sector in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has provided an enhanced allocation of Rs. 2250 Crore for the year 2021-22 for ‘Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture’ , a centrally sponsored scheme. The Ministry is implementing MIDH with effect from 2014-15, for realizing the potential of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew and cocoa. The allocation is significantly higher than the previous year allocation. This allocation has been communicated to the States/UTs for preparing Annual Action Plans.
Government intervention in the horticulture sector has led to the situation wherein horticulture production has surpassed the agriculture production in the country. During the year 2019-20, the country recorded its highest ever horticulture production of 320.77 million tonnes from an area of 25.66 million hectares. As per the 1st Advance Estimates for 2020-21 the total horticulture production in the country is 326.58 lakh MT from an area of 27.17 lakh ha.
MIDH has played a significant role in increasing the area under horticulture crops. Area and production during the years 2014 – 15 to 2019 – 20 has increased by 9% and 14% respectively. Moreover, the mission has boosted best practices to be followed in farms which have significantly improved the quality of produce and productivity of farmland. The initiative of MIDH has not only resulted in India’s self-sufficiency in the horticulture sector but also contributed towards achieving sustainable development goals of zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, no poverty, gender equality etc.
However, the sector is still facing a lot of challenges in terms of high post-harvest loss and gaps in post-harvest management and supply chain infrastructure. There is tremendous scope for enhancing the productivity of Indian horticulture which is imperative to cater to the country’s estimated demand of 650 Million MT of fruits and vegetables by the year 2050. Some of the new initiatives like focus on planting material production, cluster development programme, credit push through Agri Infra Fund, formation and promotion of FPOs are the right steps in this direction.